Self-locking clamp for engaging soil-reinforcing sheet in earth retaining wall and method

Abstract

A mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall, made of at least two stacked tiers of blocks placed side-by-side. Each block defines a channel extending between opposing sides with at least two adjacent bearing surfaces and an opening between the bearing surfaces to a slot extending laterally from the channel to a back side of the block. An elongate clamping bar conforming in cross-sectional shape at least relative to the pair of adjacent bearing surfaces defined in the channel, is received within the channel. A reinforcement sheet wrapped around the elongate clamping bar extends through the slot laterally of the tiers of blocks. The clamping bar mechanically engages the bearing surfaces of the channel such that the tensile loading by backfill covering the reinforcement sheet is distributed across the block. A method of constructing a mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall is disclosed as well as a clamping bar and blocks useful with such methods and walls.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An earth retaining wall, comprising: 
       at least two stacked tiers of blocks placed side by side, each of the blocks defining a channel extending between opposing sides, the channel defining at least two adjacent bearing surfaces and an opening between the bearing surfaces to a slot extending laterally from the channel to an exterior of the block;  
       an elongate clamping bar conforming in cross-sectional shape at least relative to the pair of adjacent bearing surfaces defined in the channel, received within the channel with an apex thereof adjacent the opening of the channel to the slot; and  
       a reinforcement sheet wrapped around the clamping bar and extending through the slot laterally of the tiers of blocks,  
       whereby the clamping bar, being wrapped by a portion of the reinforcement sheet and received in the channel with the reinforcement sheet extending laterally through the slot away from the blocks and loaded by backfill covering the reinforcement sheet, mechanically engages the bearing surfaces of the channel to distribute the tensile loading across the block.  
     
     
       2. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the channel defines a triangular shape in cross-sectional view. 
     
     
       3. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the clamping bar defines a triangular shape in cross-sectional view. 
     
     
       4. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the clamping bar defines a second channel extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
       5. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the slot in the back side of the block defines arcuately tapered edge surfaces between the slot and the back side. 
     
     
       6. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the slot opens to the channel at an apex thereof. 
     
     
       7. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the clamping bar defines textured exterior surfaces. 
     
     
       8. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the channel and the clamping bar define an equilateral triangle in cross-sectional view. 
     
     
       9. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the clamping bar defines a second channel extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
       10. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the slot in the back side of the block defines arcuately tapered edge surfaces between the slot and the back side. 
     
     
       11. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the slot opens to the channel at an apex thereof. 
     
     
       12. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the clamping bar defines textured exterior surfaces. 
     
     
       13. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the slot in the back side of the block defines arcuately tapered edge surfaces between the slot and the back side. 
     
     
       14. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the channel is defined within the block such that a base surface of the channel is substantially parallel to a plane defined by the back surface of the block. 
     
     
       15. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the slot opens to the channel at an apex thereof. 
     
     
       16. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the clamping bar defines textured exterior surfaces. 
     
     
       17. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 1 , wherein opposing upper and lower surfaces of the blocks define opposed mating surfaces for interlocking adjacent tiers of blocks. 
     
     
       18. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the clamping bar defines a second channel extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
       19. An earth retaining wall, comprising: 
       at least two stacked tiers of blocks placed side by side, each of the blocks defining a channel having a triangular shape in cross-sectional view extending between opposing sides, the channel open to a slot extending laterally from the channel to an exterior of the block;  
       an elongate clamping bar having a triangular shape in cross-sectional view, conformingly received within the channel with an apex thereof adjacent the opening of the channel to the slot; and  
       a reinforcement sheet wrapped around the clamping bar and extending through the slot laterally of the tiers of blocks,  
       whereby the clamping bar, being wrapped by a portion of the reinforcement sheet that extends through the slot laterally of the wall and loaded by backfill covering the reinforcement sheet, mechanically engages the bearing surfaces of the channel such that the tensile loading is distributed across the block.  
     
     
       20. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the clamping bar defines a second channel extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
       21. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the slot in the back side of the block defines arcuately tapered edge surfaces between the slot and the back side. 
     
     
       22. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the slot opens to the channel at an apex thereof. 
     
     
       23. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the clamping bar defines textured exterior surfaces. 
     
     
       24. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the clamping bar defines an equilateral triangle in cross-sectional view. 
     
     
       25. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the slot in the back side of the block define arcuately tapered edge surfaces between the slot and the back side. 
     
     
       26. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the channel is defined within the block such that a base surface of the channel is substantially parallel to plane defined by the back surface of the block. 
     
     
       27. The earth retaining wall as recited in  claim 19 , wherein opposing upper and lower surfaces of the blocks define opposed mating surfaces for interlocking adjacent tiers of blocks. 
     
     
       28. A method of constructing an earth retaining wall, comprising the steps of: 
       (a) placing at least two stacked tiers of blocks side by side to define a length of a wall, each of the blocks defining a channel extending between opposing sides thereof, the channel defining at least two adjacent bearing surfaces and opening between the bearing surfaces to a slot extending laterally from the channel to an exterior of the block;  
       (b) wrapping an edge portion of a reinforcement sheet over a clamping bar conforming in cross-sectional shape at least relative to the pair of adjacent bearing surfaces defined in the channel;  
       (c) sliding the wrapped clamping bar with the reinforcement sheet along the channel with a laterally extending portion of the reinforcement sheet slidingly received within the slot and extending the reinforcement sheet laterally of the wall; and  
       (d) covering the portion of the reinforcement sheet lateral of the wall with backfill,  
       whereby the clamping bar, being wrapped by the reinforcement sheet that is loaded by backfill covering the laterally extending portion of the reinforcement sheet, mechanically engages the two bearing surfaces of the channel such that the tensile loading on the connector bar is distributed across the block.  
     
     
       29. The method as recited in  claim 28 , further comprising the step of providing each block with opposing upper and lower surfaces with matingly engageable features for interlocking adjacent tiers of blocks. 
     
     
       30. The method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein a first distal edge of the reinforcement sheet is adjacent an apex of the connector bar. 
     
     
       31. The method as recited in  claim 28 , further comprising the step of providing a textured exterior surface to the clamping bar. 
     
     
       32. A method of constructing an earth retaining wall, comprising the steps of: 
       (a) placing at least two stacked tiers of blocks side by side to define a length of a wall, each of the blocks defining a channel having a triangular shape in cross-sectional view extending between opposing sides thereof and defining a pair of bearing surfaces, the channel opening between the pair of bearing surfaces to a slot extending laterally from the channel to an exterior of the block;  
       (b) wrapping an edge portion of a reinforcement sheet over a clamping bar that defines a triangular shape in cross-sectional view;  
       (c) sliding the wrapped clamping bar with the reinforcement sheet along the channel with a laterally extending portion of the reinforcement sheet slidingly received within the slot and extending laterally of the wall; and  
       (d) covering the portion of the reinforcement sheet lateral of the wall with backfill,  
       whereby the clamping bar, being wrapped by the reinforcement sheet that is loaded by the backfill, mechanically engages the two bearing surfaces of the channel such that the tensile loading is distributed across the block.  
     
     
       33. The method as recited in  claim 32 , further comprising the step of providing each block with opposing upper and lower surfaces with matingly engageable features for interlocking adjacent tiers of blocks. 
     
     
       34. The method as recited in  claim 32 , wherein a first distal edge of the reinforcement sheet is adjacent a first one of the apexes of the bar. 
     
     
       35. The method as recited in  claim 32 , further comprising the step of providing a textured exterior surface to the clamping bar. 
     
     
       36. A connector for clamping a reinforcement sheet extending laterally of an earth retaining wall formed of tiers of side-by-side blocks where each block defines a channel extending from one side of the block to an opposing side, the channel defining at least two adjacent bearing surfaces and an opening between the bearing surfaces to a slot that extends from the channel to an exterior of the block for receiving therein a portion of the reinforcement sheet, comprising: 
       an elongate member conforming in cross-sectional shape at least relative to a pair of adjacent bearing surfaces defined in a channel extending through a block,  
       whereby the elongate member, being wrapped with a portion of the reinforcement sheet that extends through a slot laterally of the block and covered by backfill, communicates the tensile loading from the reinforcement sheet to the block by forcing the member against the bearing surfaces of the channel and thereby clamping the reinforcement sheet to the block.  
     
     
       37. The connector as recited in  claim 36 , wherein the member is triangular in cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       38. The connector as recited in  claim 37 , wherein the member in cross-sectional shape defines an equilateral triangle. 
     
     
       39. The connector as recited in  claim 37 , wherein the member defines a channel extending from a first side to an opposing side along a longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
       40. The connector as recited in  claim 39 , wherein the channel in the member conforms in cross-sectional shape to the cross-sectional shape of the member. 
     
     
       41. The connector as recited in  claim 37 , wherein the exterior surface of the member is textured. 
     
     
       42. The connector as recited in  claim 36 , wherein the member defines a channel extending from a first side to an opposing side along a longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
       43. The connector as recited in  claim 42 , wherein the channel in the member conforms in cross-sectional shape to the cross-sectional shape of the member. 
     
     
       44. The connector as recited in  claim 36 , wherein the exterior surface of the member is textured. 
     
     
       45. A connector for clamping a reinforcement sheet extending laterally of an earth retaining wall formed of tiers of side-by-side blocks which each block defines a channel having a triangular shape in cross-sectional view extending from one side of the block to an opposing side, the channel defining at least two adjacent bearing surfaces and an opening at a common apex of the bearing surfaces to a slot that extends from the channel to an exterior of the block for receiving therein a portion of the reinforcement sheet, comprising: 
       an elongate member having a triangular shape in cross-sectional view, for being conformingly received in a channel extending through a block,  
       whereby the elongate member, being wrapped with a portion of the reinforcement sheet that extends through the slot laterally of the block and covered by backfill, communicates the tensile loading from the reinforcement sheet to the block by forcing portions of the member against the bearing surfaces of the channel and thereby clamping the reinforcement sheet to the block.  
     
     
       46. The connector as recited in  claim 45 , wherein the member in cross-sectional shape defines an equilateral triangle. 
     
     
       47. The connector as recited in  claim 45 , wherein the member defines a channel extending from a first side to an opposing side along a longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
       48. The connector as recited in  claim 47 , wherein the channel in the member conforms in cross-sectional shape to the cross-sectional shape of the member. 
     
     
       49. The connector as recited in  claim 45 , wherein the exterior surface of the member is textured. 
     
     
       50. A block for constructing an earth retaining wall formed of a plurality of the blocks placed side-by-side in tiers, comprising: 
       a body defined by two opposing sides, a top and an opposing bottom, and a front face and an opposing back face, the body defining a channel having a triangular shape in cross-sectional view which extends between the opposing sides for receiving a clamping bar therein which defines a shape conforming to the channel with two of the surfaces of the channel defining bearing surfaces for engaging surfaces of the clamping bar and an opening between the bearing surfaces to a slot that extends from the channel to an exterior of the block for receiving therein a portion of a reinforcement sheet,  
       whereby the block, receiving the clamping bar wrapped with a portion of the reinforcement sheet that extends laterally of the block through the slot, bears tensile loading from the backfill covering the reinforcement sheet communicated by the clamping bar against the bearing surfaces of the block.  
     
     
       51. The block as recited in  claim 50 , wherein the slot at the back face of the block defines arcuately tapered edge surfaces between the slot and the back face. 
     
     
       52. The block as recited in  claim 50 , wherein the slot at the back face of the block defines arcuately tapered edge surfaces between the slot and the back face. 
     
     
       53. The block as recited in  claim 50 , wherein the slot at the back face of the block defines arcuately tapered edge surfaces between the slot and the back face.